Planning Ashley’s 8th Birthday Party
Ashley’s birthday falls on 2 May. So, the start of each new year sends a signal to me to scramble to plan her birthday party.
While she clearly knew which theme she wanted for all her previous birthdays, she was kind of undecided this year. She had really wanted her current favourite ‘Ever After High’ which was not viable. The series is not shown in Singapore, not to mention any party supplies. After much deliberation, Ashley finally decided on Lego FRIENDS, one of her favourites too. It seems like a good theme to work on – a party for her with her favourite ‘FRIENDS’.
Ashley had wanted her birthday party at Port of Lost Wonder. While I did not like the idea of an outdoor party, which could be subject to weather, I relented. However, what I had in mind was a cosy and intimate birthday party during their monthly night time event – BBQ Under The Stars. Unlike the standard party package in the day, we get to experience the beauty of the port at night, enjoy the cool sea breeze while dining to a delectable BBQ buffet spread.
The idea appealed to me given it would free us from all the food set-up and the kids have the pirate ship as their entertainment. This would allow us to relax and mingle with our guests. So, after a number of email exchanges with POLW, we signed a contract and the party was a go! I also ordered the Beverage Package and Balloons Package from them to further lighten my preparation. They have also graciously given us the use of the Celebration Island to host our party and a complimentary POLW membership for Ashley as her birthday gift.
Although there was not much planning required at our end, I began to realise that it was not going to be an easy task. In fact, it was easier to plan the ‘Frozen’ theme party for her last year as there were many printables that I could use. After scouring through the net, I finally got our invitation cards and thank you cards done. Much to Ashley’s delight, I DIY a poster for her party which turns out looking fine.
ZA and I also ventured to Legoland Malaysia to get the goody bags for the party – Lego FRIENDS Photo Frame. Ashley had bought one last December while visiting there with a friend and we thought it will be a very good idea as the giveaway. A last minute addition would have been the placemats which we printed and will have them laminated. We ordered the birthday cake from Smiling Orchid as always and chose a design which we have never done before, We hope it turns out good!
Ashley started counting down to her birthday and much to our delight, we woke up in the morning of Thursday 30 April with a surprise call from Nadirah, the producer of Maddy, Jason & Arnold in the Morning on Kiss 92. I have emailed them the morning before with the hope of getting Ashley on the Birthday Wheel segment. Since the beginning of this segment last year, she had been listening to it every weekday morning and wished she could be a part of it. In fact, ZA was very skeptical about it and scrambled to set up the recording just in time. Ashley barely had time to recover from the surprise and she went on air. Jason spun the Birthday Wheel and she had won a Post Cereal Hamper. She went with Maddy’s choice of song – Sunday Morning by Maroon 5 instead of Jason’s song – Trouble by Chris Rene which took us by surprise. She was always rooting for Jason to win. Ashley was still wearing her smile from ear to ear on the way to school. Thank you Kiss 92 for making her day!
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On the eve of her birthday, Ashley also requested for a home cooked dinner with all her favourite dishes which ZA had been more than happy to oblige. We had Red Wine Chicken, Foochow Fishball and Steam Egg. We savoured the mouthwatering dishes, simple but yet fit for king. Ashley can’t wait for the big day to arrive tomorrow!
